CounselCare Connection. P.C
- Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Prov
- Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Prov
- Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. Prov 27:9
- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6
- Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. 1 Chr (NIV)
God is our counselor, Jesus is the wonderful counselor and the Holy Spirit is our counselor. Mature Christians are exhorted to encourage others, warn the idle and help the weak. (1 Thess. 5:11;14). Most Christians who counsel believe that God is the author of all truth and that the Bible is the authoritative guide in the counseling process. Sound psychology is used to promote change and wholeness in the counseling relationship when it supports scripture, such as holding people responsible for their behavior and helping people change their thinking and behavior to coincide with truth. Christian counseling evaluates and considers the mental, physical and spiritual needs of people using a process in which the Bible is the authoritative guide.
Christian counselors recognize their work as redemptive and restorative in character. The Christian counselor brings the entire counseling enterprise under the lordship of Christ. This helps the counselee find personal significance and meaning in his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and facilitates the restoration of human relationships. The core issues addressed are:
CounselCare Connection. P.C
- exploring personal problems, purpose, significance and longings
- establishing meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ and with others
- developing biblical self-worth, thinking, choices and behavior experiencing a wholesome emotional state.
What is a definition of Mental Health from a Christian perspective? “Mental health, from a Christian perspective, is a state of dynamic equilibrium characterized by hope, joy and peace in which positive self-regard is developed through love, relationship, forgiveness, meaning and purpose, resulting from a vital relationship with Jesus Christ and a responsible interdependence with others.”
How does secular psychology play a part in Christian counseling when Christians believe that the Bible should be the ultimate authoritative guide in their lives? Secular psychology includes similar goals such as:
CounselCare Connection. P.C
- Change behavior, attitudes, and values/perceptions
Secular and Christian counseling use similar assessment & diagnostic tools Listening, showing interest Attempting to understand Exploring problems; Giving direction Providing resources Referral to psychiatrists & physicians for further evaluation, & medication.
Secular and Christian Counseling includes Similar concepts, principles: 1. People are responsible for their behavior and will experience the consequences of that behavior. 2. Life events, development, family systems and “significant others” have greatly affected the client and need consideration in the counseling process. 3. Thinking influences behavior and feelings (Cognitive/Ellis) 4. People need meaning and hope and must regard their present life as significant and meaningful and their future as desirable. (Existentialism/Frankl) 5. People function more effectively in the context of wholesome social relationships. 6. People make choices to move towards goals that they think will meet their needs. 7. People need to accept themselves, develop self-worth and to be accepted by others. 8. People need personal authenticity and an open awareness of feelings . 9. People are limited and influenced to some extent by their environment. 10. Generating intelligent and creative decision making skills is necessary for achieving various personal goals. 11. Values and goals must be identified, and explored. 12. Real client issues and problems must be identified, prioritized & dealt with. 13. People can learn to move forward and act on their world, becoming intentional individuals. 14. People are unique and need to be respected and understood in light of their differences and complexities.